Photo By Lt.j.g. Bryan Blair | Navy Chief of Chaplains Rear Adm. Mark L. Tidd conducts same-sex domestic partner...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Stephen Murphy
MANAMA, Bahrain – The Navy chief of chaplains participated in sexual assault prevention and response training and directed same sex domestic partner benefits training with chaplains in the 5th Fleet, June 25.
Rear Adm. Mark L. Tidd, the 25th chief of Navy chaplains, observed SAPR training for chaplains serving in the area of responsibility conducted aboard U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters.
“It will enable us to continue to improve the care that we provide to people who are affected by sexual assault,” said Tidd. “It is also a great opportunity for us to talk with each other and learn from each other about best practices and caring for people who are impacted by sexual assault.”
According to the Department of Defense 2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, in fiscal year 2012 there were a total of 3,374 reports of sexual assault involving service members as victims or subjects, an increase from the 3,192 reports received in fiscal 2011. These reports involved offenses ranging from abusive sexual contact to rape.
Tidd also conducted SSDP benefits training while at NAVCENT. He said the training will educate the chaplain community about the Navy's implementation of the Department of Defense's extension of family benefits to same-sex partners.
“It enables chaplains advise to sailors who may have questions about some of the new policies and benefits that are available,” said Tidd. “It’s helpful for us as we see some of the policy changes within the Department of Defense and as they apply to the Navy and Marine Corps as well as the Coast Guard, that we understand the policies and understand how best to support our sailors.”
DoD announced the extension of benefits to same-sex partners to ensure fairness and equal treatment to the extent allowable under law, Feb. 11. The benefits will be available no later than Oct. 1.
Tidd will also visit with sailors aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. He said he enjoys visiting and meeting the sailors serving in the region.
“This is an exciting place to be, and it is also a challenging place to be because many of them are so far away their families and things that are familiar,” said Tidd. “This is always an operationally intense area where there is always a lot going on. The mission here is a vital mission, and it’s critically important to our nation and our allies. I would just like to say thank you to all the sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen here.”
The 5th Fleet is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Indian Ocean and 20 countries.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2013 05:00 |
| Story ID: | 109272 |
| Location: | MANAMA, BH |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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